Automatic visual flight information display system



April 10, 1962 R. w. BLANCHARD ETAL AUTOMATIC VISUAL FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM Filed May 9, 1960.-

Biit-i Patented Apr. ll, lg

ice

AUTMAEE The present invention relates to information display systems, and more particularly to a system for positionally displaying printed information at one or more remote locations.

The present invention is particularly adaptable for use in transportation centers such as railroad terminals or airports where train or airplane information is displayed for observation by the passengers or personnel. Such information may include train or flight numbers, gate numbers, destination, arrival and departure times, or other such information. The aforesaid information is generally variable with time and therefore the display must be revised or corrected accordingly. Also, the display usually includes a plurality of different information posted at different particular locations on a display surface so that such revised or corrected information must also be routed to the correspondingly correct position on the display. Further, the aforesaid information usually originates or is compiled at a point remote from the display area, so that the information, as well as the revisions or corrections, must be conveyed or transmitted by some means to the one or more display areas where it is to be posted. It would be desirable in such instance to employ a system wherein information could be rapidly and simply transmitted from a point of origin to one or more remote points to provide an intelligible display thereat. It would be further desirable that such a system employ a minimum amount of transmission channels, and have the majority ot the transmission equipment located at the common transmitting point.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for simply and rapidly displaying information at predetermined positions on a display surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for positionally displaying coded message information on a display surface in response to coded address information wherein said coded message and address information may be transmitted from a remote location over a common transmission channel.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of an information printing system comprising a` source of information signals having message and address intelligence disposed in a first code, printing means including a printer responsive to intelligence disposed in a second code, said printing means further including control means coupled to said source to convert said message intelligence disposed in said first code into said second code, and common means to couple said source and said code handling means to said printing means to produce a printed output of said message intelligence.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a block diagram of one embodiment of an information display system following the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is arrepresentative illustration of a punched .tape produced by the system of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a sectional illustration of a portion of the information display system shown in FIG. l.

Referring to FIG. 1, an information display system is shown comprising a source 1 of information signals having message and address intelligence disposed in a first code, printing means 2 including a printer 3 responsive to intelligence disposed in a second code to print in given characters the intelligence set forth in said second code, printing means 2 further including control means 4 coupled to printer 3 for controlling the position of printer 3 in accordance with the address intelligence set forth in said irst code, code handling means 5, including code analyzer 7 and code converter l'l, is coupled to source ll to convert said message intelligence disposed in said rst code into said second code, and common means 6 to couple code handling means 5 to printing means 2.

Printing means 2 also includes a suitable display means 9 upon which the printed message intelligence is to be applied. Printing means 2, in general, will be a passively mechanical structure such as a display board or frame.

In operation, the address and message intelligence to be transmitted is encoded into a suitable, first type code.

vThe said rst type code, for purposes of explanation, will be the well known six unit Teletype code, although any manner of code capable of conveying the desired number of discrete bits of information may be likewise employed. The six unit Teletype code is a code scheme wherein combinations of six binary elements (characterized by either a mark or space) are assigned to represent alphanumeric characters. There are different 64 combinations possible with six binary elements, 40 of which may be 'assigned to represent alphabet characters, numerals, and punctuation marks for coding the message intelligence; the remaining 23 combinations (not using the six space combination) may be used for coding the address intelligence.

Encoder means 1 includes any means to encode the desired address and message information in the selected first code, such as simple keying means or teletypewriter means. If a teletypewriter is employed it may be useful to prepare the coded information initially on punched tape while preparing, at the same time, a typed verification page copy. The punched tape could then be passed, at a relatively higher speed than that at which it was prepared, through a tape reader to produce electrical code signals at the approximate rate of words per minute. The address and message information fom encoder 1, now in the .form of first type code signals, is conveyed to analyzer 7 which recognizes the address information and separates it from the message information.

Analyzer 7 includes a recognition matrix which, being designed for the 6 element code described hereinabove, will have 64 output lines. Each matrix output line of analyzer 7 is related to a separate one of the 64 possible code combinations. A diode matrix of the type contemplated is discussed on page 56 of R. K. Richards Digital Computer Components and Circuits, or a digital or electromechanical matrix could also be used. The 23 output lines of the matrix (eliminating the unused 6 space combination) related to the address code groups are tied to a common line which is coupled directly to transmitter 6, and the 40 matrix output lines related to the message code groups are coupled directly to code converter S. Code converter 8 includes a character shaping code circuit selectively coupled to the 40 message code output lines of code analyzer 7. Upon the occurrence of an output signal on any one of the 40 output lines of analyzer 7, the character shaping circuit of converter 8 will produce an output code characterized by 5 groups of 7 element code such that each element represents a possible increment in the formation of a facsimile of any of the alpha-numeric message characters when the iive groups are arranged in a 7 by 5 matrix. More speciiically, the character shaping circuit of code converter 8 includes a configuration of 35 dodes 8a coupled to selected ones of the 40 message code input conductors such that a signal on any one conductor will produce mark and space signals on 35 output leads coupled to the diodes, wherein the mark and space signals represent the related character as stated above. A distributor 8b is ineluded with the diode circuit to scan the 35 diode output conductors to produce an output from Lcode converter 8 in the form of groups of 35 sequential code elements which are related to separate ones of the desired code characters. After distributor 8b, which, for example may be a ring counter, has completed the desired scan, a signal is transmitted by conductor 8c to encoder 1 to indicate that the next code character may be transmitted to analyzer 7. The output code group signals from distributor 8b are fed directly to transmitter 6.

Transmitter 6 transmits the first coded address signals and the second coded message signals, in that order, with a. sutiicient time delay between the address and the message codes. Both the address code and the message code signals are transmited to printing means Z over a single transmission channel, preferably a wire transmission means such as a conventional telephone line which may be leased for that purpose.

Printing means 2 is located at a desired remote display point and includes printer 3, controller 4, and display means 9. Display means 9 is shown, for purposes of explanation, as a structure capable of retaining printed tapes in a plurality of horizontal positions. Controller 4 is an electromechanical device, described hereinbelow which is capable of transporting printed tapes to any of of the horizontal positions on display means 9 in accordance with the address intelligence received from transmitter 6. l rinter 3 is a conventional tape punching device capable of forming alpha-numeric character configurations on a tape by punching suitably located holes. Printer 3 is designed to punch holes in the tape in a matrix of 5 columns, each column having 7 punch locations, for a total of 35 possible punch positions. The location of the punched holes in the matrix is determined by the mark and space information related to each character shaping code combination of the second coded message intelligence signals.

Referring to FIG. 2 a representative illustration a punched tape is shown having the character 2 and H thereon. It is seen that the total possible width of the characters is tive punched increments and the total height is seven punched increments. The printing is effected by punching given ones of seven lateral punches in response to mark (or space) pulses as the tape is advanced along its longitudinal direction, with spaces separating each group of live columns.

As the punched tape is being produced from printer 3, controller 4 mechanically conveys the tape to a horizontal position on display means 9 in accordance with the address intelligence. Controller 4 includes a counter .circuit 4a, a digital comparator circuit 4b, and a tape transport 4c. Since, as stated hereinabove, transmitter 6 transmits the address code signals prior to the message code signals with a time delay between the two; and since the address code signals will be of a given number of elements, counter circuit 4a is utilized to gate the input signals to comparator 4b up to a given element count, and then gate the remaining input signals, which will be the message intelligence, to printer 3. Also, instead of of a counter, end of address and beginning of message elements similar to Teletype line shift characters may be employed. The address code signals (in 6 element Teletype code), which have been transmitted to comparator 4b, will consist, as an example, of two characters such as D7 which will indicate that the following message will be posted in the seventh horizontal line of the departure section of the display board 9. The characters D7 will take up l2 binary elements; therefore, counter 4a will gate the lirst l2 received code'elements to comparator 4b and the remaining code elements (up to an end of message indication) to printer 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional View of display means 9 and tape transport 4c is shown. Each horizontal address position of display board 9 in the present case, Vincludes a group of l2 energized contacts 9a. The energized contacts are energized in accordance with the teletype code related to the address of the horizontal position. For instance, if contacts 9a were located at the seventh line of the departure section of display board 9, they would be energized in accordance with the Teletype code for characters DT Tape transport 4c includes a group of contacts or brushes disposed so as to be connected with each of the contacts of 9a when tape transport ic is aligned opposite the horizontal position of the display board. The position signals from energized contacts 9a are transmitted to digital comparator 4b and are compared with the Teletype address input signals. lf tape transport 4c is aligned opposite the correct horizontal address position of dispiay board 9, no output signal will result from comparator 4b. lf tape transport 4c is not in the correct address position, a difference signal will be produced from comparator 4b. The output signal from comparator 4b is coupled to a driving motor in tape transport 4e to ultimately position tape transport 4c to the correct address location by means of well known servo techniques. When tape transport 4c reaches the correct position, no further output signal will be produced from comparator 4b, at which time a simple solenoid operated tape drive system (not shown) may be utilized to draw the printed tape across the horizontal position of display board 9.

At an end of message signal, a tape cutter Within printer 3 severs the punched tape, which is now positionally posted at the desired location on display means 9.

The tape transport system described above was for purposes of explanation, and it is to be understood that controller may include any suitable device capable of motion in the vertical and horizontal directions.

While it is preferable, in the present system, to print by means of punched tape, it is to be also understood that this is not a limitation. Printer 3 could as well be an electrostatic printer or a cathode ray tubel writing device.

Display means 9 may be of various shape, form, or

material. lt must be structurally capable of retaining the punch tape at appropriate positions, and may include back illumination which, when viewed through the punched tape, aids in the visual observation.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the address and message intelligence is analyzed and separated at -a common transmitting point, thereby permitting a plurality of printing means similar to printing means 2 to be located at various remote locations, either within one transportation terminal or the different transportation terminals. Each printing means need only include a controller, a printer, and display means operating from a single transmission channel as shown in FIG. l. If desired, each printing means could include a separate code analyzer and converter similar to analyzer 7 and converter S. The message and address intelligence would then be transmitted in a rst code, and be separated at the printing means. This would require an analyzer and converter at each printing means, but would increase the speed of transmission.

It may be desirable in such a system having a plurality of similar printing means to operate only a selected one printing means at a given location at any one time. In such an instance, transmitter 6 could be modified to include a line selector to select the one of the plurality of transmission channels which relates to the selected one printing means, or, as an alternative, onel transmission line could be employed and each printing means could include a recognition matrix responsive to a separate selected code character which, when transmitted prior to the display information, could select the desired printing means.

An alternative printing scheme may also be employed wherein a plurality of printers similar to printer 3 are included in printing means 2, each printer located adjacent to a separate horizontal line of display means 9. With such a scheme, there need be no vertical translation of the punched tape, but each printer must be responsive to a gating circuit so that only the one printer adjacent to a given horizontal line will operate in response to the message intelligence to be displayed at the given horizontal line.- For purposes of explanation, display means 9 has been shown as having a departure and arrival column with ten rows related to each column. Larger, more complex display means are possible, but it is necessary to reserve sufhcient address code capability to agree with the total possible address locations.

It is seen that a new and useful system for positionally displaying printed information at one or more remote locations has been described. The system is relatively simple, employs standard components, and has the majority of the necessary equipment located at a common transmission point. While We have described above the principles of our invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only lby way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of our invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

l. An information printing system comprising a source of information signals having message and address intelligence disposed in a first code, printing means including a printer responsive to intelligence disposed in a second code to print in given characters the intelligence set forth in said second code, said printing means further including control means coupled to said printer for controlling the position of said printer in accordance with the address intelligence set forth in said first code, code handling means coupled to said source to convert said message intelligence disposed in said first code into said second code, and common means to couple said source and said code handling means to said printing means to produce a printed output of said message intelligence.

2. An information printing system comprising a means to encode information having message and address intelligence in a first code, analyzer means coupled to said 'encoder means to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, converter means coupled Vto said analyzer means to convert said rst coded message intelligence into a second code, printing means coupled to said analyzer means and said converter means including a printer responsive to said second coded message signals to print in given characters the intelligence set forth therein and control means responsive to said first coded address signals to positionally control said printer in accordance with the address intelligence set forth therein.

3. An information display system comprising means to encode information having message and address intellisurface in accordance with the address intelligence contained therein.

4. An information transmission and display system comprising means to encode message and address intelligence into first coded signals, analyzer means coupled to said encoder means to separate said first coded message signais from said first coded address signals, converter means coupled to said analyzer means to convert said first coded message intelligence into second coded signals, transmitter means coupled to said analyzer means and converter means to transmit said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a common transmission channel, and receiver means responsive to said coded signals from said transmitter, said receiver means including a display surface, a printer responsive to said second coded message signals to produce, in given characters, a printed display of said message intelligence, and control means responsive to said first coded address signals to control the position of said printer in relation to said display surface.

5. An information transmission and display system comprising means to encode message and address intelligence into first coded signals, analyzer means coupled to said encoder means to separate said coded message intelligence signals from said coded address intelligence signals, converter means coupled to said analyzer means to convert said first coded message intelligence into second coded signals, transmitter means coupled to said analyzer means and converter means to transmit both said rst coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a plurality of transmission channels and a plurality of receiver means, each one coupled to one of said transmission channels and responsive to said coded signals from said transmitter, each of said receiver means including a display surface, a printer responsive to said second coded message signals to produce, in given characters, a printed display of said message intelligence, and control means responsive to said first coded address signals to control the position of said printer in relation to said display surface.

6. An information printing system comprising means to encode information having message and address intelligence in conventional binary Teletype code, analyzer means coupled to said arranging means to separate said coded message intelligence from said coded address intelligence, converter means responsive to said coded message intelligence to convert said coded message intelligence into binary alpha-numeric facsimile code, printing means coupled to said analyzer means and said converter means including a printer responsive to said alpha-numeric coded message signals to print in given characters the intelligence set forth therein and control means responsive to said Teletype coded address signals to positionally control said prints in accordance with the address intelligence set forth therein.

7. A device to display information characters wherein said characters are formed by a configuration of discrete punched holes comprising a source of first coded information signals including message intelligence Which is representative of alpha-numeric characters to be formed by a configuration of discrete punched holes and address intelligence which is representative of the intended positional location of said message intelligence, analyzer means responsive to said first coded message signals to separate said first coded message intelligence from said first coded address intelligence, converter means responsive to said first coded message intelligence'signals to convert said message intelligence into a second coded signals representative of the particular punched hole locations of said alpha-numeric character configurations, transmitter means coupled to said analyzer means and said converter means to transmit said first and second coded intelligence signals in a common transmission channel, and printing means responsive to said first and second coded signals from said transmitter means, said printing e means including a tape puncher responsive to said second coded message intelligence signals to produce a punched tape having said message intelligence thereon in the form of punched hole alpha-numeric character configurations, and a controller responsive to said first coded message intelligence to positionally locate said punched tape.

8. A device to display information characters wherein said characters are formed by a configuration of discrete punched holes comprising a source of first coded information signals including message intelligence which is representative of alpha-numeric characters to be formed by a configuration of discrete punched holes and address intelligence which is representative of the intended positional location of said message intelligence, analyzer means responsive to said first coded message signals to separate said first coded message intelligence from said first coded address intelligence, converter means responsive to said first coded message intelligence signals to'convert said message intelligence into a second coded slgnals representative of the particular punched hole locations of said alpha-numeric character configurations, transmitter means coupled to said analyzer means and said converter means to transmit said first and second coded intelligence signals in a common trans-mission channel, and printing means responsive to said first and second coded signals from said transmitter means, said printing means including a display surface, a tape punch responsive to said second coded message intelligence signals to produce a punched tape having said message intelligence thereon in the form of punched hole alpha-numeric character configurations and a controller responsive to said first coded message intelligence to positionally locate said punched tape on said display surface in accordance with said address intelligence.

9. An information display system` comprising means to encode information having message and address intelligence in first coded signals, analyzer means coupled to 'said encoder means to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, converter means coupled to said analyzer means to convert said first coded message signals into a second code, printing means responsive to said first and second coded intelligence signals, said printing means including a display surface having a plurality of horizontal areas thereon capable of supporting printed tape, a plurality of printers, each printer located adjacent 1a separate one of said horizontal areas, said printers being responsive to said message intelligence signals to produce .a punched tape having said message intelligence printed thereon, and a control means responsive to said message intelligence signals to control the operation of said printo ers in accordance with the message intelligence.

l0. An information transmission and display system comprising means to'encode message and address intelligence into first coded signals, analyzer means coupled to said encoder means to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, converter means coupled to said analyzer means to convert said first coded message intelligence into second coded signals, transmitter means coupled to said analyzer means and converter means to transmit both said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a plurality of transmission channels, said transmitter means including a channel selector to select one given channel for transmission at any given time, and a plurality of receiver means, each one Acoupled toa separate one of said transmission channels and responsive to said coded signals from said transmitter, each of said receiver means including a display surface, a printer responsive to said second coded message signals to produce, in givencharacters, a printed display of said message intelligence, and control means responsive to said first coded address signals to control the position of said printer in relation to said display surface.

1l. An information transmission and display system comprising means to encode message and address intelli- -gence into first coded signals, analyzer means coupled to said encoder means to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, converter means coupled to said analyzer means to convert said first coded message intelligence into second coded signals, transmitter means coupled to said analyzer means and converter means to transmit both said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a plurality of transmission channels, said transmitter means including a channel selector to select one given channel for transmission at any given time, and a plurality of receiverV means, each one coupled to a separate one of said transmission channels and responsive to said coded signals from said transmitter, each of said receiver means including a display surface having a plurality of horizontal areas thereon capable of supporting printed tape, a plurality of printers, each printer located adjacent a separate one of said horizontal areas, said printers being responsive to said message intelligence signals to produce a punched tape having said message intelligence printed thereon, and a control means responsive to said message intelligence ignals to control the operation of said printers in accordance with the message intelligence.

12. An information transmission and display system comprising a code typewriter to encode message and address intelligence into a first code Von a punched tape, a tape reader responsive to said coded punched tape to produce electrical signals corresponding to said first coded message and address intelligence, a recognition matrix coupled to said tape reader to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, code converter means responsive to said coded message signals from said recognition matrix to convert said first coded message intelligence into second coded signals, transmitter means coupled to said recognition matrix and said code converter to transmit both said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a common transmission channel, and printing means responsive to said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals, said printing means including a printer responsive to said second coded message signals to print in given characters the intelligence set forth therein and control means responsive to said first coded address signals to control the position of said printer in accordance with lthe address intelligence set forth therein.

13. An information transmission and display system comprising means to encode information having message and address intelligence in a first code, analyzer means coupled to said encoder means to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, converter means coupled to said analyzer means to convert said first coded message intelligence into a second code, transmitting means coupled to said analyzer means and said converter means to transmit said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a common transmission channel, a gating circuit responsive to said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals from said transmitter to gate said first coded address signals to a first output line and said second coded message signals to a second output line. A printer coupled to said second output line responsive to said second coded message signals to produce a punched tape having said message intelligence thereon in alphanumeric characters, display board, and a controller coupled to said first output line of said gate circuit responsive to said second coded address signals to positionally control the location of said punched tape on said display board.

14. An information transmission and display system comprising a code typewriter to encode message and address intelligence into a first code on a punched tape, a tape reader responsive to said coded punched tape to produce electrical signals corresponding to said first coded message and address intelligence, a diode matrix coupled to said tape reader to separate said coded message signals from said coded address signals, codeconvertermeans responsive to said coded message signals from said diode matrix to convert said iirst coded message intelligence into second coded signals, transmitter means coupled to said diode matrix and said code converter to transmit both said first coded address signals and said second coded message signals in a common transmission channel, a gate circuit responsive to said rst coded address signals and said second coded message signals from said transmiter -to gate said first coded address signals to a first output line and said second coded message signals to a 10 second output line. A printer coupled to said second output line responsive to said second coded message signals to produce a punched tape having said message intelligence thereon in alpha-numeric character, a display board, and a controller coupled to said rst output line of said gate circuit responsive to said second coded address signals to positionally control the location of said punched tape on said display board.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

